Washing machine



Oct. 28, 1941- J. H. HAMILTON ET AL WASHING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Jan. 24, 19:58

l I I l l I l S8-4 I I Ot 28, 1941 J. H. HAMILTON ET AL 2,260,513

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1938 8 sheetsFsheet 2 Oct. 28, 1941. J.H. HAMILTON ET Al. 2,260,518

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct 28, 1941- J. H,HAMlLToN ET AL 2,260,518

WASHING MACHINE Ffie Jan. 24, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct- 28, 1941 J. H.HAMILTON ETAL 2,260,518

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 24, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 82 79 lz ZZ f1 f r.7( I gramma/bow Oct 28, 1941- J. H. HAMILTON ET AL WASHING MACHINE 8Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Jan. 24, 1938 Ocf- 28, 1941- J. H. HAMILTON ETAL2,260,513

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan, 24, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 various'types ofarticles.

Patented Oct. 28, 1941 UNITED STATESy PATENT OFFICEl WASHING MACHINEJohn H. Hamilton and David B. Nicholson, Raleigh, N. C.

Application January 2.4, 193s, serial No. 186,691

1s claims.

'Ihe principal object of theinvention is to provide an apparatus forwashing. soaking, rinsing, sterilizing and storing containers andsimilararticles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washing machine forcontainers and similar articles having compartment forming devices whichcan be selectively arranged to form a varied number *of articlereceiving compartments closed may bevaried to adapt the invention fordifferent uses.

In the drawings which are illustrative, and in no sense restrictive:Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the washing machine of thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of said machine; Figure 3 is a transversevertical sectional view through the washing machine, in a plane at rightangles to the axis ofthe machine;

Figure 14 is an enlarged view of one of the keeper bars used inv theapparatus of this` invention; l Y

Figure is a` perspectiveview of the end of one of the cradles used inthe apparatus;`

Figures 16 and 17 are. sectional views of types of mounting` forthecradles of the present invention Figure 18 is a sectional view ofthepreferred form of the inner compartment side, showing how it isapplied between the drum plates;

Figure 19 isa bottom plan view ofthe compartment side of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is atop plan view of a modied form 'of the inner compartmentside;

Figure 21 is a sectional view of one corner of the compartment side ofFigure 19;

g Figure 22' is a sectional View of the compartment side of Figure 20,showing the manner of assembling asks therein;

Figure 23 is a tap plan view ofthe preferred form of theoutervcompartment side, and

Figure 4 is another vertical sectional view of th machine, taken alongthe line 4-4 of Figure 3, in a plane including the axis of the machine;

. Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view'through themachine, vtakenalong the line 5-5 of Figure 3; y y

Figure 6 is an inside view of one of the end 'plates of the rotary drumof the machine;

Figure 'I is a detail sectional view of a modified form of lid for thetank of the machine;

'Figure 8 is an outside view of one of the top container compartmentsides of theinvention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the Figure 10 is a sectionalview taken along the 'linelil-I0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an enlarged view of one corner of the container compartmentside of Flgure;

Figu're 12 is a partial plan view of the inside oi one of the .bottomcontainer compartment sides'; Figure 13-is a sectional view taken alongthe line i3-I3 oi Figure 12;

' Figure. 24, is a sectional view of the compartment side of Figure 23,taken along the linev 24--24 of Figure `23..

The washing machine of the present invention is adapted for use in therapid and thoroughv cleansing of various types of articles such ascontainers. The apparatus is particularly useful in the cleansing ofodd-shaped containers, and v containers which may have left in them,after use, residue dimcult to remove by ordinary clean-v ing nethods.Receptacles of this type, and from which residue is diiilcultA toremove, are usedin laboratories and the like, and it is believed thatthe present invention eliminates the difiicult problem of keeping suchcontainers in clean and sterile condition at all times, with a minimumexpenditure of time and minimum breakage.

Laboratory containers may be stained with materials diilicult of removalsuch as Agar media, wax, pencil marks, blood, salt, deposits, andvarious preeipitations. Containers such as test tubes, asks, tunnels,culture bottles, Petris dishes and the like may be cleansed withfacility with the washing machine ofdthe present invention.

While the present vmachine is particularly adapted .for the cleansingrof odd-shaped containers, as mentioned above, it'may easily be adaptedby reason of its construction for use in cleansing anyordinarycontainers, suchl as bottles of various kinds, as wellr as otherarticles. The invention comprises broadly, a sealed tank having mountedtherein a rotatable drum. The

tank contains a quantity of water or other washing liquid, and may belled with steam or other sterili'zing vapor'or gas above the surface ofthe water'. A suitable `washing powder may be used in the washingliquid, if desired.l One powder which thoroughly cleanses articles in a,machine of the type disclosed contains soda metaphosphate which placescalcium and magnesium deposits in solution without the formation ofsludge,

an'd a buier chemical to remove hard *deposits from the articles. Therotatable drum is adapted to receive at the selection of the operator,coinpartment forming' devices for various types.` and numbers ofcontainers, and rotates within the sealed tank, carrying thex containersalternately and continuously through the cleansing liquidandsterilizingvapor above the liquid to thoroughly cleansev thecontainers.

In Figure 1 the tank is shown at I0, and

` comprises sides Il which taper toward one -gases from the inlet pipesI8 and I9, said pipes being controlled by .the respective valves 20 and2|, the inlet pipes joining one another at the fitting 22, beyond whichtheir common extension passes through the side wall of the tank andextends into its interior in the form of a perforated supply pipe 24,which goes completely across the tank at the upper end thereof.-

By suitable manipulation of the valves 20 and 2|, either steam or watermay be admitted into the tank, or a warm or hot spray combination f of'each may be injected into the tank through the perforated pipe 24.l Itwill be understood that the perforations inthis pipe are disposed on thelower face thereof, and in such position that the steam and water may besprayed out-` wardly over thecontainers rotating within the tank ashereinafter described.- The spray pipe 24 is provided with suitablemeans for forming a seal with the sides of the tank through the same.

A s best shown in Figure 4, the tank is equipped at its lower end withan outlet 26 which is scurd and'sealed to said: wall as by welding;I

.said `outlet communicating with an upwardlyl extending glass cylinder21, and communicating with a housing including. avvalve seat 30 belowsaid outlet. Mounted Within the glass tube 21 is a hollow pipe 3| openat both ends which has secured to its lower end' a valve 'member- 32which normally engages the seatv and pre-v vents the direct flow offluid from thev tank through the outlet 26 and into the discharge line I33 below the valve seat 30. v

v When it is desired to -drain the tank, the valve pipe 3l may be liftedbyjmeans of its handle extending above the .upper endA of the glass tubewhere -it passes scribed drum. The length ofthe valve tube 3| is suchthat it extends upwardly' to the desired liquid level, and when theliquid rises in the tank above the upper end Vof the tube 3| (andconsequently in the glass tube 21 which is constantly in communicationwith the tank through the outlet 26), the liquid overflows into thevalve pipe, 3| downwardly through .the same directly into the dischargeline 33. Thus the arrangemnt provided on the exterior of the tankprovidesl forthe drainage thereof, as well asfor ythe maintenance of aproper liquid level in the tank. By reasonl of` the Itransparency of thetube 21, it serves as a liquid level indicator fo the tank.

As shown particularly in Figure 4, a heating element, such as anelectric heating member 35 of well-known type, extends through thesideof the tank and into its bottom, and said heater is adapted to eitherinitially heat the liquid in the tank, or to retain it at the desiredtemperature cleansed is mountedlfor rotation with va shaft 40 best shownin Figure 4, said shaft being supj ported in conventional bearings ineach side of' the tank, andhaving an extension on vone end thereof towhich is rigidly s ecured a driven pulley 4I, said pulley receiving abelt 42, which is driven by a' drive pulley 43 carried on a shaft 44which extends from a reduction gear box 45. The driving pulley 43 isconnected through the gear box 45 with a shaft 50 which-is driven by anysuitable source of power, such a's an electric motor 5I. The electricmotor with its shaft, the reduction gear box and its shaft, includingthe drive pulley-43, are all mounted upon a sup porting'platform 52,said platform having a pair ofo brackets 53 securedto the lower facethereof which are pivotally y supported at their lower ends on a shaft54 which is secured between opposite frame members Aof the foundationI5.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, one of the brackets 53 has rigidlysecured thereto by means of a pair of bolts a foot lever 55, whichextends beneath the washing machine and terminates in a foot pedal 56,this lever being normally held in its upward inactive postionby aspring'514 secured to a rod 56 extending across the width of the framemembers of the foimdation, and secured at its ends thereto. v

By this construction, the weight of the motor,

.gear box and' drive pulley and their` shafts normally tends to bias thebrackets 53 inA a clockwise direction around the rod 54, said bracketsbeing pivotally attached to said rod, whereby the ,weight of the partsmentioned above tends to maintain tension on the -belt 42 which extendsto the driven pulley 4 I, thus completing the drive from the motorvtorotate the shaft 40 on which y the rotatable drum within the casing issecured 21, thus lifting the valve 32 from its seat 30 and l `permittingthe direct discharge of thecntents of the tank into the outlet 33. v

In the operation of this washer, it is intended4 -that the same shall bein the usual case i-llled withuliquid up,to approximately the level ofthe center of rotation of the hereinafter defor rotation. 'Ihe strengthof the spring 51 may be adjusted to regulate the tensionon the belt.'

42.A Saidv spring may be; adjustably connected' with'the rod 58 inorder/'to provide for varying its tension. The tension onthe belt willbe so Vmaintained that it will slip on its pu1ley` if anything becomesjammed within 'the tank during* rotation-of the drum, thus providingagainst breakage of either the parts of the machine or the containers.

By suitable electric connections not shown, vthe motor is connected witha switch 6| mounted on the panel 88 as shown in Figure 2, so that themotor may be started and stopped as desired dur-` ing operation of themachine.

when it is desired to rotate the drum witnm the casing in order toinsert or remove the contair/iers to be washed, or to rearrange thecontainer compartments as hereinafter described, the attendant may forcethe foot pedal B down- /wardly, thus elevating the platform 52 in acounter-clockwise direction around the rod 5l to relieve the tension onthe belt i2, thus permitting the .drum and its shaft 40 to be. rotatedby hand to accomplish the operations referredto above and .laterdescribed in the application;

As bestshown in Figures 4 and 6, the rotatable drum comprises a pair ofrotatable plates 65 rigidly secured to the shaft 40 by means of collars81. These plates may be of any configuration, but are preferablycircular in contour as shown in Figures 3 and 6, and are of as largediameter as possible Ito be conveniently. accommodated within thetankwithout engaging the top I3 when the latter is closed, or anyfotherttings within the tank such as the heater 375. Each of the plates 65 isprovided/with va systematic series of openings as shown in Figure 6whereby a varied number of container compartmentsvof various -sizesmay-be selectively formed on the drum between the discs to receive `thevaried number and types Vci.' containers and 'the like to be washed asdesired. These'openings may be systematically arran'ged in variousfashions to suit the type of containers which are to Vbe washed, and thedistance apart of these openings may be likewise varied as desired.

y The preferred manner of arranging these openlngs is shown in Figure 6,wherein for purposes of descriptionthe axes of the plate are designatedNS and EW respectively, the intersection of these axes being designatedO., Arranged 'perpendicular to the NS axis, and substantiallyone-quarter of the distance fromthe shaft Il toward the periphery of theatthe point N is a series of aligned openings N1, symmetrically arrangedwith respect to the -NS axis, the openings being of equal distance fromone another throughoutI the series; The Anumber' of openings and theirdistance'apart may be varied in accordance with the type of hereinafterdescribed compartment forming equipment used, and in accordance with thetype of containers which the washer isidesigned to cleanse. In thepresent embodiment,l

we may use, thirty-six openings in the series N1.

vDisposed substantially half-of the distance from theaxisjl of the drumand the peripheral point N thereof is a second series of openings N,arranged in a manner identical with the series 10. Substantiallyiive-eighths of the distance from the axis toward the point N is ashorter series of similar openingsNa, there being twentyfive openings inthese serles.- A similar series of openings N* is providedsubstantiallyV threefourths of the distance from the 4axis totheperipheral point N. Certain openings of each series may be omitted ifnot needed.

Arranged outwardly from-the axis 4l towardA each of theperipheral'points E, S andW are similarly and symmetrically arrangedseries of openingsias showmtbevarious serlestoward eachpenpnernpntbenganangcdinperpenmmuar fashion to the axis of the platethrough that peripheral point. These series of openings are designatedwith the letters E, S and W with proper exponents as described above vinconnecequipment to be washed, the compartments being y formed in amannerhereinafer described.

While any type of compartment sides may be employed to form the variouscompartments, suitable constructions are shown in detailin Figures 8through 14. These sides areshown as -being foraminous to permit freepassage of the washing iiuid to and around the articles or'containers. I

The outer compartment side 15, or top of each compartment is shown indetailv in Figures 8 through 11. 'I'hese sides are adapted to b epivotally mounted in any of the openings in the circular plates 65 atone end, and swung to position and locked in openings at their otherends, as hereinafter described. This compartmentside or top in generalcomprises a metallic frame. made up of angle and channel members,carrying looselytherein a screen which is adapted to engage thecontainers being washed and form one side of a'compartment for receivingsaid containers. l

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, the frame comprises side angle members 16 and 11and end channel members 18 and 19 which ilt over the side angle membersat the cornersand are secured at the corners tothe side angle members inany suitable shown in Figure l1.

A screen .84 which actually forms the side of the container compartmentis looselyposltioned within the frame, resting on the lower flanges ofthe channel members 18 and 19. In assembling the device the screen isinserted in position with one end above or inside the lower flange ofthe channel 18, and then the lower flanges 8|) at the ends of thechannel 18 are bent in beneath the screen tosupport it at its other end.

In order to hold the screen rigidly against the articles which are to bepositioned in the compartments, a pair of leaf springs 90 are carriedlbeneath a cross plate 9| which extends through- Vout the width of theframegythe ends ofthe plate being secured to the upper flanges of theang-le members 18 and 11, as shown in Figure 8. The

leaf springs are secured at their centers to the under-Side of the crossplate-9|.- by rivets, as f shown in Figure 8. The ends of the leafsprings are bowed and sprung upwardly-as at 93 where they contact theupper or inner surface of the screen. It will-be apparent that'thescreen is capable of yielding-movement upwardly within the frame of thecompartment side against the 'tension of the leaf springs, so that itmay yieldingly engage the containers in the compartment.

Secured to the upper face\ofthe channel 18, as shown in Figure 8; are apair of spaced brackets 81 and 88, said brackets being` provided lwithknuckles 99 and |00 which receive for longitudinal movement .thereinsring pins lol and |02,

said pins having pointed nds toenter any one of the selected openings|03 mthe drum plates 65. The inner ends of the pins and |0| are bent toform eyes' |05 through which extend the outer ends of arms |06 and |01of a U-shaped operating member of lspring-like material, the inner endsof the operating arms being connected -by a cross member |03 integraltherewith which is secured to the outer face of the plate 9| by v to'enter any of the openings |03 in the series of means of eyes |0 securedto said plate, through be hereinafter described is disclosed. Generally,A

vided n the pins |0| and |02 to ylimit their inward movement.

The hinge pin 03 is hollow 11, and mounted fo'r longitudinal movementtherein at one or both ends of the pin are latching bolts 6, said boltsnormally being biased outwardly from the interior of the hinge pin bysprings( |1 within the interior of said pins. Adjacent the ends of thehinge pins, and outwardly of the ends of the knuckle 8| are slots H8,within which are operated nuts ||9 secured to the bolts H6 to retractsaid bolts within the bore of the hinge pin when the compartment side'is being secured between the drum plates, 01j removed therefrom.

as shown in Figure openings in the drum discs.

In order to retain the operating vlatches 13| and |32 against excessiveinwardv movementwith respect to the frame, a bent wire |40 is secured tosaid rods at one end insidethe plate |24, and is bent aroundthe upperside of the plate and secured at its other end to the lrod outside ofsaid plate, thus limiting the inward movement of the rods with respectto the frame. Y

In Figure 14, a keeper bar K whose use.will

these keeper bars are intended to be positioned between the innerfacesof the drum plates, and

are used to hold the various articlesin position in their compartments.'I'hese bars comprise a hollow rod |42 having'xed in one end thereof a'pin |43.of a diameter adapting it to be inserted in the openings |03inthe drumplates, and a similar movable bolt |44 protruding from theother end of ythe hollow rod. vThe bolt |44 is normally pressedoutwardly by a spring within the rod which engages the inner end of thebolt at one end, and a flxedabutment |46 within the hollow rod at itsother end. Adjacent one end, the hollow rod is provided with Aa-slot |41through which extends an operating nut. |48 se cured to the latchin'gbolt |44. To insert the keeper bar in place between the drum plates,

with the mening bo1t m retraeted, the'nxed pin |43 is inserted in aselected opening on'one plate,

The inner or bottom sides |20 of the compartiv I ments as shown inposition in Figure 3 are also composed of a screen attached to asuitable frame and provided with latching pins or bolts to secure thesame in the openings in the drum discs 65.

'i 5 Referring to Figures 12 and 13 the frame of this device comprises apair of channels |2l and Figure 12. The ends of the frame are providedby flat plates |24 whose ends are bent inwardly as a't |25 where theyare secured to the webs of 3 the channel membersV |2| andvl22, andthe'extreme ends of these members being bent inwardly away 'from thechannel as shown'at |26 and provided with openings |21as shown in Figure13- to receive the latching bolts hereinafter described. ,The screen |29is adapted to be positioned on the upper 'ange of the channels |2| and|22, and is hinged to the channel |22 by spaced-hinge clips |23. The endframe plates |24 are provided with openings |30 in alignment with theopenings |21 in the inwardly bent ends |26 of said plate, and a U-shapedlatch in the form of latching boles |3| and |32 connected by an integralarm |33 is passed through thealigned openings |21 and |30, the ends |35of said bolts extending beyond the ends of the frame.

springs las surmunethe operating bons be'-` tween the inwardly bent ends|26 of plate. |24

i and the straight portion of the end plate adja- 1 cent the opening`|30, washers |33 carried by the operating lrodsbing adapted to engagethe outer ends of said springs.l

With this arrangement, and referring particularly to Figures 5 and 12,the lcross members |33 of the operating rods may be grasped and moved ltogether, thus retracting the ends |35 of the operating rods to permitthe securing of the bottom side in the selected positionbetween the drum-plates or its removal therefrom, it being apparent that theends of theoperating rods are adapted 4o |22 whose open sides face outwardly asviewed in v ments which the machine may take, as far as l and themovable bolt is then aligned with the selected opening in the otherplate. after which the attendant may release the operating bolt nutpermitting the spring to move the'latching bolt |44 into its selectedslot.

Theabove described apparatus provides equipment of great exibility whichmay be assembled by an attendant in a laboratory, hospital or the like,to wash any types, sizes or numbers of laboratory equipment, suchasflasks, dishes and the like as hereinbefore described. The arrangetheformation of compartments is concerned. are

v'drumplates as close tothe axis '40 of th-" almost innumerable.However, as'illustrative of the manner in which the'l devicemayzbefused, one assembled arrangement which disclosed in Figure 3. f 1.v f Y In this gure, oneof the bottomfsidesflcl20 the invention. thedetails of whichare illustrate' v in Figures 12 and 13, is securedbetweenthefa'cesf of the drum plates along theON axis het has been usedlI as convenient. Thedistance betweenthe latch-ii ing bolts |35 of sidefis conveniently Jmade equal to the distance between the series ofopen"'V 7 ings El andW1 asl shown inligure. 'Withf'the" bottom plate ofthe compartmentin position byretracting its latching bolts vandpermitting themV4 to enter the-selected openings Iin the drum plates,any type of container maybe assembled above the same, but in theillustrated arrangement three relatively long' flasks |50 `yarepositioned on the screen ofthe bottom plate with their mouths facinggenerally toward the axis of the The asks may be heldin place by asmany*` keeper bars as necessary as shown in Figure 3 AatV K positionedin the series "of 'openings N1 of' Fig-` ure 6; A small plate preferablyof screen-'like material |5| may be positioned/on the "bases of theasks, and on this"4 screen may-be set a plain l wire basket |60, ofproper size, conta ining a plurality of test tubes which fwillalso beconveniently disposed with their open endsr facing generally' toward theaxis of thedrum.

the compartment.

'ebzedsie The top' plate 15 may now be positioned in place, and while itmay be pivoted in place in 'latch pins |0| and |02 of Figure 8, so thatsaid latch pins may be positioned in any one o1 the openings |62desired, depending on the size of the containers which have beenassembled within `The outside or top side 16 may be 'moved radiallytoward the upper end of the basket |60 of .test tubes until a. tight lltis secured, and then latched in the proper opening |62, it beingapparent that the screen 04 of the top plate will engage the upper openface of the basket to retain the test tubes therein, and the leafsprings 90 will provide a yielding engagement of the top side with thebasket.

It ,may be found to be convenient to leave the top side 15 permanentlypivoted within its ropenings |6|,' and to build the various compartmentsinside the same, using side 15 as the iinal closure for the compartmentas formed.

If desired, any number of keeper bars disclosed in Figure 14 may beemployed at the sides of the basket |60, if it is necessary to use themin retaining the basket in fixed position.

After having thus assembled the containers in one section of the drum,they may be washed, or the drum may be completely lled with containers.If it is desired to insert additional containers for washing, theoperator presses down on the foot lever 56 to release the drum shaft 40from its driving meansand then by yhand he rotates the drum until anempty space is' available in another section 4to insert furthercontainers. For instance, he may rotate the drum through 90 until theperipheral point E of the drum is at the uppermost part of the tank, andthen dispose a bottom compartment as desired. As illustrated in Figure3, the attendant has secured the bottom side of the compartment to beformed along the OE axis between-selected openings in the seriesofopenings N1 and S1 of Figure 6. As previously described, a basket ofsmall test tubes may be mounted on the bottom side |20, with the mouthsof the tubes extendingI generally inwardly toward the axis of the drum,after which the top side 15 is secured in its opening |66 and swungcounter-clockwise until it holds the basket of tubes tightly against thebottom face |20, after which the top side may be latched inits selectg,d.v

one of the openings |62. Y

The drum may then be further rotated through a further 90 angle afterreleasing the'driving means'to bring the peripheral point S to the'uppermostposition within the tank. Afterthe securing ofthe bottom side|20 between selected' openings in the series .E1 and W'l of Figure 6further` equipment may be inserted in this section of the drum aspreviously described. For instance, a plurality of micro-slides in abasket -or in any type of open box-like holders may be positioned on thebottom side |20, a simplescreen |66 may be placed over said holdersafter which va plurality of small beakers -may^be set on this screenwith their mouths facing inwardly, theseY beakers being surmounted by afurther screenA after which' larger beakers may be similarly mounted andthen a top side 15 may be positioned between the drum plates aspreviously described. Keeper bars 'as shown may be appropriatelypositionedbetween the drum plates in cured between the series ofopenings N1 and S51,v

and a large beaker |68 is Vpositioned on .the bottom side.. For purposesof illustration, this assembly discloses the side-byfside mounting ofthis beaker with flasks |169 of shorter length, the liasks beingretained by` keeper bars which closely embrace the necks of the lflasks,and hold them with their mouths spaced from the bottom side of thecompartment. In this arrangement, the top side can be secured as beforeand bymeans of its leaf spring and yieldably mounted bottom screen, the-flasks and beaker will be rigidly yet yieldingly held in position.

It is obvious that the exible and-selective arrangement) of compartmentformation dereasonable speeddesired without causing the delicatecontents to move about into engagement with each other, and without anyapprecia- 'ble noise and particularly without the danger of breakage.

45: side |20 through any pair of aligned openings It is sometimesnecessary to wash dishes snch as Petri dishes which comprise top andbottom dish portions which accurately t one another to seal the contentsbetween the dishes during 'certain laboratory work. Usually these dishescomprise sections which are notfof the same diameter, yet it isdesirable to.keep them together yet not sealed Awith one another duringthe washing operation, as one dish may notnt the corresponding top ofanother set with suicient accuracy.

In order to wash such dishes, we have devised the cradle arrangement |10shown in Figure 15,

this cradle comprising a pair of circular end plates |12 which areconnected by four longitudinally extending bars |13 and |14, the upperpair of bars |14 being spaced a wider distance apart than the lower pairof bars |13. To` sup` port-the mating pairs of the Petri dishes,transverse struts |15 are provided throughout the llength of the cradlesecured between the longitudinal .bars |13 and |14. Each of the enddiscs is provided with a segmental slot |16 which -terminates in acircular vopeningy |11-'at the c'e'n-y ter of the end plates, orslightly abovel the center thereof if desired. At a point opposite theseg'- mental opening |16,^the end plates are provided with openings |18adapted to receive a keeper bar K of the type described. in connectionwith Figure 14.

of the tranverse struts |15, the mating dishes,-

' other. l e K is then inserted between the end plates |12.

not being in sealing engagement-with one an` To retain them in place,the keeper bar Referring to Figure 16, one of the drum plates is shownat 65 and one of its openings is shownv at |03 and -a novelform of boltis disclosed which may be used to removably secure the cradle betweenthe drum plates. This bolt has a' relatively small shank |82 terminatingin a relatively large head |83, the shank being inserted through'theopening |11 in the end plates and extending through the opening |03 inthe drum plate. The head '|83 is of small enough diameter to passthrough any one of th'e openings |03 in the drumdisc 65, but wheninserted, the shoulder between the enlarged' end |83 and the shank |32 bears against the outer face of the drum disc 65 as shown, and willprevent the bolt from being withdrawn during rotation of the drum. The`head |83 of this bolt is' not of sumcient length to engage the innerwall of the tank `during rotation of the drum. The bolt is provided withan inner iiange portion |84 which is positioned within the inner wall ofthe endv plate |12 of the cradle.

bolt having a shank .l 36; and av pair of anges- |81 and |88l integraltherewith, flange |88 being inside of the end plate |12 of the cradleand ange |81 being between said plate and the in- ,ner wall of the drumplate 65. y l In lieu of the removable bolts for holding the cradlesbetween the drum plates, as shown vin Figures 16 and 17, -iixed boltshaving enlarged heads may be permanently secured to the inner faces ofthe drum plates, and the cradles pivoted thereon by passing the slots|16 in the end plates of..the cradles over the enlarged heads of the lbolts until the bolts are in the openings |11 in fthe end plates. Thesepermanently located boltsv may be disposed between the assemblies in the0N, OE, OS and OW axes, as shown in Figure 3.

In operation, the attendant forms compartments of various sizes, and anynumber of compartments as desired, arranged to suit the types ofcontainers to be washed as described in connection with Figure 3, thedrum being rotated lWith the Petri dishes assembled in the cradle aspreviously described, and after the ke'eper bar K of the cradle ispositioned as shown in Figure l5, the cradle may be buttoned into aselected pair of aligned openings in the drum disc 65 whereversuiiicient space is offered,` depending on /the' rest of the assemblywhich has been made as described in connection-,with Figure 3.

In this iigure, one of the cradles |10 is shown in position between thecompartment assembly on the 0E axis and the assembly on the OS axis,

` and another between the assembly on the OS axis and that on the OWaxis. However, it will be understood that the disposition of thesecradles -is not limited other than by theother com- 'partments whichhave been previously formed between the drum discs.- If desired, thespace between the drum plates could be completely filled with thesecradles.

When the cradles have lthus been assembled,v

and when the drum is rotated during the washing operation, the weight ofthe contents of the cradle, together with the weight of the bars |13 and|14 and the struts '|15, being below the central axis extending throughthe openings |11,

in the end plates of thecradle, will insure that the cradle remains inits upright position dur` ing rotation of the drum., That is, referringto Figure 11i,v while the retaining nut will move` around with the drum,during rotation of the. drum, the end plate |12 of the cradle will movearound the retaining nut as the drum rotates.` thus keeping the cradlein its upright position.

It will be understood that this is desirable in connection with thewashing of these particular4 dishes, and may be desirable in connectionwith the washing of other containers. Byf reason of the fact that themating Petri dishes are of unequal diameter, even if provision/were madeto j s retain the larger dishesv rigidly in place by dis` posing thekeeper bar K in engagement .with

theirv periphery, this would still not keep the smaller dishesirommoving and perhaps being subject to breakage during the rotationofthe drumincident to the cleaning operation. It will be understood thatany types of miscellaneous dishesl or articles may cradles describedabove. In Figure 17, a modified formo! the bolt for retaining the cradlein position is disclosedzthis be carried vin' theA by hand to bringempty sections of the drum to the top of the tank when other sectionshave been iilled. The keeper bars may lbe used as,

form the'compartments and hold thecontaineis e.

in place. For instance, such containers as the asks IBiI could obviouslybe held in place merely with the use of keeper bars.

After the compartments are formed and the .containers assembled therein,the valves 20 and 2| are opened to admit water and/or steam vinto thetank, the tank iilling to a llevel in alignment with the top of thevalvetube 3|, it being evident that the .pipe 24 will spray the water orother washing iiuid over the containers in the drum. The top of the tankis then closed and sealed, and the switch 6| operated to start the motorwhich rot tes the drum `preferably slowly, but as fastas esired inaccordance with the gear train in the gear box 11,5.` During rotation ofthe drum, the containers will be alternately immersed inthe water in thelower'part of the tank, and then raised to an elevation above vjected toa spray of water and/or steam from the pipe 24. During the operation ofthe drum,.

the water or other iluid in the bottom of the tank can be kept heated bymeans of the electric rheater 35, and .this heat may be regulatedbyobservations of the indicator 31 which is acf tuated by the thermometer36. If desired, after the water has 'been supplied to the,tank, onlysteam may be admitted Ithrough the pipe 24, or

, steam previously trapped within the containersv steam and a slightamount of hot water to form a cIOud-Iikespray in the upper part ofthetank above the water level. The atmosphere above the water level'. maybe all steam. 'In place of.

the electric heater 35, a steam pipe having a plurality of jetopeningstherein may ybe used in the bottom of the tank, so that steam can beblown up through the liquid in the tank to rapidly heattheliquid.

As th; containers were positioned in their compartments generally withtheir mouths facing ,toward the axis of the drum, lthese containers willll with liquid when in the lower part ofv the tank, and will dischargethis liquid when passing through Athe cycle at the upper part o! thetank, and during this upper cyelev the will tend to expand and assist indischarging iiuid from them, thus providing an alternate iilling anddischarging of the containers which re.

suits in -a thorough cleansing action` The speed of rotation of the willpreferably be slow enough so that the containers have time to be- Acomeiilled during the lower part of the cycle Usually a temperature of 160F. or less WithinI the tahk is suiilcient. However, in removing certainresidue, a temperature oi 212 F. or higher may be desirable. The timenecessary to cleanse various types of containers and to remove differentstains of course varies to `an extent with the temperatures used.

Il desired, the machine may be started at a' relatively low temperature,and the heat increased as the operation progresses, by increasing. theheat applied by the electric heater, or by admitting more steam.

Ii steam is not available at the place where the washer is used, theelectric heater may be relied on solely to supply the necessary heat.

After the washing operation is completed, the containers may be' left inplace in their coin-V partmentsuntil needed, and the drain valve 32 maybe opened to permit discharge of the washing fluid at the completionofthe operation, and,

of course, the valves and 2| may be closed hand, when the containerspassthrough the upper cycle of the drum and through the relatively hotsteam, the air trapped within the containers will be caused to expand,thusyfor'cing the liquid from the containers. Thus, during each rotationof-the drum, such containers will be partially filled with liquid andthen will be caused to expel the same, thus thoroughly cleansing theirinteriors. f If the machine is to be used for the storage of containersafter the washing operation is completed, it may be desirable after the`liquid-has been withdrawn,V to lill the'tank-with steam by slightlycracking the steam inlet valve 20. If

it is desired to keep steam in the 'drum `under any considerablepressure for sterilizing, any suitable type of valve may be employed toclose the outlet 2B, and amore rugged steam-tight top may beprovided-.for the tank, as .shown in' Figure 7.

In Figure 1.a modied form of top for the tank is disclosed. The tank isshown at |90, and

v on all four sides thereof. the metal of the 'tank to prevent anyfurther inlet of steam and water into the tank. If desired, immediatelyafter the washing operation as4 described above, the :duid may bedrained from the tank byopening the valve 32, and then the containersmay be thoroughly rinsed, preferably with cold water forced inwardlythrough the pipe 24, or with warm water if desired. The drum may or maynot be rotated during thisrinsing operation.

After draining the liquid from the tank, it may be completely illledwith steam to sterilze the containers, and if desired, this steamatmos-Y phere may be maintained as long "as desired.

It will be understood that the machine need not' be-completely illledwith containers in eachwashing operation, nor Vis it necessary to removeall of the containers afterv one operation. It may be the case that somecontainers need to be washed for a considerably longer. period thanctliers, and, therefore, these containers dicult to clean may be left inthe machine during sev-V eralwashing. operations. Between successivewashing operations certain of the other compartments may be opened andthecontainers removed and replaced, and possibly some ofthe-compartments changed in order to accommodate different typ'esrofcontainers.-

If during the washing operation, the ternperature of the uid in thebottom of the tank is relatively low with respect to the steam intheupper portion of the tank,'a very thorough washing of containers ofthetype having restricted -necks may be eiected. I'hat is, when thesecontainers pass through the liquid in thelower part of the tank, theywill be cooled and the air therein will be condensed, thus 'drawing the1liquid into the interior of the containers. On the other is bentoutwardly at |9| lto form a horizontal flange, and upwardly atl `|92 anddownwardly upon the upwardlybent portion at |93 to present a smoothupper tank edge |94. Secured upon the ledge 9| is a one-piece gasketmember |95 which extends completely around the tank. This gasket is heldin place between the bent down flange 93 and a gasket retaining flange|91 which is secured in any suitable fashion as by soldering or weldingto the inner wall of the tank. v

Throughout the length of theback side of the tank a pair of plates |98and |99 having a brass 'liller 200 therebetween are secured as by`welding or soldering to the anges |91 and |93. These plates form achannel at their inner sides 'wherein is received a second gasket member20| v which extends only throughout theback side of theK tank. A hinge202 is bolted to the brass reinforcement 200 and to the lid 203, the lidalso4 having a bent edge throughoutA its entire circumference, beingbent downwardly at 204, andupwardly upon the bent down portion 204 as at205, forming a rounded edge 206 which engages the gasket |95 to form aseal therewith throughout three sides of the tank.- On the rear side ofthe tank, the bent down flange 204 of the top forms a seal with thegasket 20| when the top is closed. Secured to the gasket retaining plate|97 at the front side of the tank is an anglet member 201 which has alower cam latching face adapted to engage a latching member 208 having acooperating cam face which is secured for rotation with an operatinghandle 209 which is mounted in.'V the top 203, extending through theapertured plate 2|0 which is secured to the top. The operating handle2/09may be provided with a suitable collar (not-shown) outside of theplate 2|0, and bearing against said plate, so that there is no inwardmovement of/said handle through the top 203.

With the above described arrangement, thev top may be brought intosteam-tight engage! ment with the tank, to permit relatively vhighpressures to be used within the tank during'the.

washing operation; or during any desired sterilizingoperation. f

In Figures 18 through 21, the preferred form of the inner or bottomcompartment side |20 is Y diseased. This campement side reused for thesame purpose asv that disclosed in Figures l2 and 13, and issubstantially .of the same constructiom.

accenna outer' compartment side v151s disclosed. This comprising'a frameand a foraminous plate carr v construction comprises a frame. having ayieldriedby the frame and covering the same. However, in.this embodimentadiierent means for securing the side between the druml plates 55 isprovided. At one en d of thel frame xed pins 2|3 are provided, said pinsbeing adapted to enter sehected openings |03 in one drum plate 65,aswill be understood. In the opposite end ofthe/ frame, -slots 2|5 areprovided extending throghfthe wall of the frame. vPivoted at 2|1 wi theframe and coextensive with the latchin/g end thereof is a latching frame2|9, said frame carrying a pair of latching pins 22| rigidpins 22| areadapted to enter the slots 2|5 in thel ends of the main frame.

This bottom compartment side is inserted betweenthedrum plates 65 as-shown in Figure 18. During insertion, and-with the latching framenioved downwardly aroundits pivot 2I1 from the mainframe, the xed 'pins2| 3 on the main frame are inserted into the selected openings -in oneplate. With the main frame. then in the position shown in Figure 18, thepins 22| extending from thelatching frame are inserted 'intocorresponding openings in the other drum latching frame as'an integralpart of the main frame, so that the compartment side is rigidly securedbetween' the drum plates. .When so secured, the compartments may beformed outside 'of this side es described in connection with Figj ure 3.

.released when desired by retracting the spring This compartment sidecan be quickly 223 and collapsing the frame by drawing the main frameupwardly from the latching frameas shown in Figure 18, after which thecompartment sidema'y be removed.

In FigureZl, the -screen 225 is shown removably held to the. frame bybrackets 221 which are secured to the-side of the frame andextend upover the screen. These brackets are arranged as shown in Figure so thatthe screen can be f removed and a container supporting plate 229 havinga plurality ofopenings 23| may be sub- 1 stituted therefor. That is, thescreen is slidably mounted ih Ithe frame so that it may be quickly.removed and the plate 229 slid into place bei neath the brackets 221.

The openings zal in the plete 22s are forv the purpose of receiving thenecks of containers, such l as yasks,in order to further save space andsimplify thel assembly between the drum plates.

.As show n in Figure 22, after the bottom compartment Aside ispositioned between the drum plates, the flasks 233 are retained thereinby 3 having'their necks inserted through the openings 23|, instead ofhaving the mouths of the iiasks resting on the. inner compartment sidely secured to the end of the latching frame. The l ably mounted screentherein of the same con-l struction as described in connection withFigures 8- through 11. l In this construction,` the screen 235 is heldin'place by brackets 231 which are secured to the frame, the screen`being mounted o ver the brackets asshown in Figuref23l to permit thescreen'to move with respect to the frame against the tension. of theleaf springs. .This

ated by the nut 245 secured to said bolt. said. nut moving in a slot inthe keeper bar in the same manner as does the nut. H9. disclosed inFigure 11. This keeper bar` is carried in aligned 1 apertures inextensions 245 of the frame.

249 having apertures therethrough to receive an- At the opposite end ofthis compartment side..

and secured-to the frame, is a pair of brackets other keeper bar 25|,this bar having spring pressed latching bolts 253 at each end, which areoperated by the closely adjacent operating nuts 255 secured to saidbolts, said nuts being movable in slots in the hollow sleeve whichhouses the latching bolts. The operating lnuts 255 are close enoughtogether so that they may be operated with one-hand to retract .thebolts 25s' when the compartment side is being secured between or removedfrom the drum plates 65. Small key plates 251, aresecured to thebrackets- 249 as shown in Figure 24. thekeys entering slots in theouterwall oi. the keeper bar to retain said permits its accommodation towidely different types and sizes of containers.-

The equipment within the machine, such as the drum plates, articletrays, keeper rods, spray \pipe and the like, are preferably made ofbrass. 'I'he body of the machine -is preferably made oi stainless steelor Monel metal.

The details of theconstruction shown herein may b e changed to aconsiderable vextent without departing from the invention, and it willbe understood that the lmachine disclosed is susceptible of a greatvariation in size in order to adapt it for dierent uses. It is alsoevident'that the l as shown in Figure 3. As in Figure 3, a screen plate|5| may be positioned over the bases of 1 the asks and the remainder ofthe assembly l mounted outside of this plate, such as, for instance, awire basket |50 containing l test tubes or the like.

1 In Figure apparatus shown herein may be modified to recompartmentforming' evices of length substantially equal to the dis ce between theinner 23, TeIeTid conltlllction 0f 75 faces of said plates. said devicesmeans I at their ends to latch in selected of said openings in saidplates, whereby a varied number of compartments of various sizes andshapes may be formed between said plates to laccommodate 'differentsizes and shapes of articles to be washed, said compartments utilizingsubstantially the entire volumeof space between said plates.

2. In a washing machine, a tank,. a rotatable drum in said tankcomprising a pair of opposed end plates disposed closely adjacent to thewalls oi' said tank, each of said plates having a multitude ofsystematically arranged openings therein throughoutl a major portion ofthe area of said plates, saidv systematic arrangement comprising aplurality of vnon-radial parallel lines of openings, and a secondplurality of parallel lines of openings which are arranged perpendicularto said iirst-named lines of openings, a plurality of removablecompartment forming devicesv of length substantially equal to thedistance between the inner faces of said plates, latching means on theends oi said devices operable from between said plates and adapted toenter selected of said openings in said plates, whereby a varied numberof compartments of various sizes and shapes may be formed between saidplates,- to accommodate diilerent sizes and shapes of articles to bewashed.

3. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum comprising a pair of opposedend plates, each of l said plates having a multitude of systematicallyarranged openings therein lthroughouta major portion of the area of saidplates, said systematic arrangement comprising a plurality of non-radiall. parallel lines oiopenings, and a second plurality l l 9 parallellines of openings, and a second plurality of parallel lines of openingswhich are'arranged perpendicular to said first-named lines of openings,a. plurality oi removable compartment forming devices of lengthsubstantially equal to the distance between the inner faces of saidplates, said devices having `means at their ends 'to latch in selectedof 4said openings in said plates, whereby avaried number of compartmentsof Various sizes and shapes maybe formed between -said plates'toaccommodate different sizes and shapes of articles to be washed, one ofsaid devices being a compartment side comprising a frame and a screenremovably secured to said frame.

6. In.. a washing machine, a rotatable drum comprising a pair of opposedend-plates, each of said plates having a multitude of systematicallyarranged openings therein throughout a major portion of the area of saidplates, a plurality of removable compartment forming devices of lengthsubstantially equal to the distance between the inner faces of saidplates, said devices having means at their ends to latch in selectedofsaid openings in said plates, whereby a varied number of compartmentsof various sizes and shapes may be formed between said plates toaccommodate different sizes and shapes of articles to be washed, one ofsaid devices being a compartment side comprising a frame, a screenmounted for movement in said frame, and spring means on said frame for'yieldingly urging said screen into engagement with the articles in acompartment. *'7. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum comprising apair of opposed end plates, each 0f said plates having a multitude ofvsystematically arranged openings therein throughout a major portion ofthe area of said plates, said systematic arrangement ,comprising aplurality o'i' non-radial parallel lines of openings, and a secondplurality of parallel lines of openings which are arranged'perpendicular to said ilrst-named lines of openings, a plurality ofremovable compartment formplates to accommodate diilerent sizes andshapes of articles to be washed, one of said devices being a foraminousplate for forming one' side of a coml partment.

4. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum' comprising a pair of opposedend plates, each of f said plates having a multitude of systematicallyarranged openings therein throughout a major portion of the area of saidplates, said systematic arrangement comprising a plurality of non-radiallparallel lines of openings, and a second plurality A of parallel linesof openings which are arranged perpendicular to said rst-named lines ofopen- 1ings, a plurality of removable compartment forming devices oflength substantially equal to the distance between the inner faces ofsaid plates, said-"devices having means at theii ends to latchticles-in' place in said compartment. l 5,'In a washing machine,arotatable drum comprising a pair of opposed endl plates, each ofsaidplates having a multitude of systematically arranged openings thereinthroughout a major portion of the area of said plates, said systematicarrangement comprising a plurality of non-radial ten of said openings insaid plates, wheref ing-devices of length substantially equal to thedistance between the inner faces of said plates, said devices havingmeans at their ends to'latch in selected of said openings in saidplates, whereby a varied number of compartments of various sizes andshapes may be formed between said plates to accommodate different sizesand shapes of articles to be washed, said devices including a pair offoraminous plates for forming 0pp0ite 'sides of a compartment.

8. In a'washing machine, a rotatable drumJ comprising a pair ofopposedend plates, each oi' said plates having a multitude ofsystematically. arranged v,openings therein throughout a major portionof the area of said plates. said systematic arrangement comprising aplurality of non-radial parallel lines of openings, and a secondplurality of parallel lines oi' openings which are arrangedperpendicular to said first-named lines of openings, a plurality ofremovable compartment forming devices `of length substantially equal tothe distance between the inner facesof said plates,

,said devices havingfmea'ns at their ends to latch in selected ois/aidopenings in said plates, whereby a varied number of compartments ofvarious sizes and shapes may be formed between said plates toaccommodate different sizes and shapes of articles to be wash'ed,said'devices including V a pair of foraminous plates for formingopposite sides of a compartment, and keeper bars for retainingthe'articles in the compartment between said plates.

-9. a washing machine, a rotatabledrum comprising. a pair o! opposed endplates, each of l seid pinten having e multitude c: systematicallyarranged openings therein throughout amajor portion 'ci the area of saidplates,v said systematic arrangement comprising a plurality ofnon-radial parallel lines of openings, and a second pluralityoi'gp'arallel lines of openings which are arranged perpendicular tosaid'tlrst-named lines of open-V.

ings, lafplurality oi' removable compartment formingdevices of lengthsubstantially equal to the distance between the inner faces of saidplates,

said-devices having means at their ends to latch a pair of spaced plateshaving openings therein,

` a removable .compartment -side adapted to be positioned between saidplatesv comprising a frame, a screen mounted on said frame, a pluralityoflatching bolts carried by said frame and having ends extending beyondsaid frame to engage in said openings, means on said frame for urgingthe ends of said bolts into said openings, and operating meansconnecting said bolts whereby their ends may be simultaneously withdrawnfrom said openings against the force of said urging means.

11,. A removable compartmentside for a wash- Vin selected of saidopenings in said plates, whereing a multitude of systematically arrangedcompartment side receiving openings therein cover# ing substantiallytheir entire area. said openings being arranged in four groups ofparallel lines of openings, each group extending at right angles-to oneof four axes a quadrants distance apart extending from the centers ofsaid discs, openings in one disc being in alignment with correspondingopenings -in the other disc, and removable compartment iorming devicesadaptedto be secured between correspondingA openings in said discs.

14. In 'a washing machine, a drum comprising a pair of spaced plateshaving openings therein, a compartment side adapted to be positionedbeltween said plates comprising amain frame, a

pair of latching 'bolts secured to one end of said -main frame, a pairof slots in the'opposite end of said main frame, said bolts beingadapted to ing machine for containers and the like comprising a `frame,latching bolts carried by'said trame j for securing the sainew betweenplates of the drum oi' a washing machine, and a container lsupportingplate mounted on said frame, vsaid plate having a plurality of openingstherein through which the necks of the containers may be inserted, saidframe comprising pivoted sections adapted to be moved into parallelrelation with one another when the frame is disposed between the'plates'ofdthe drum, each section oi said frame carrying said latching boltsfor engaging one of the plates of the drum of the washing machine.

l2. In a washing machine, a rotatable ldrum comprising a pair of spacedplates having openings therein, means tor forming article receivingcompartments in said drum, said means inending c. compartment tcp sidecomprising n frame, a screen mounted for movement in said frame, meanson one side of said frame at each end thereof for pivoting said framebetween said plates, retractable means on the. other side of enteropenings inone of said drum plates, a latching frame pivoted to saidmain frame and tting the Aencl thereof which is provided with saidslots, a second pair of latching bolts secured lto the end of saidlatching frame and 'being adapted to enter openings in the other of saiddrum plates, said second pair of latching bolts being received in saidslots to secure said compartment side between the plates of said drum.

15. In a washing machine, a rotatable drum comprising a pair of spacedplates having openings therein, an article receiving cradle mountedbetween said plates for rotation with said drum,

said cradle comprising a'pair of end discs, and means extending betweensaid discs forming a support for the articles to be' washed, each oi'said discs having the lower portion thereof cutout, said cut-outterminating in a bearing portion adjacent thecenter of the discs, andeach of said discs having a removable pivot bolt with a journal portionin the bearing portion of said cut-out and extending through anopening'in one of said plates, said bolt having an enlarged head on theinner side of said disc and an enings therein, an article receivingcradle ymounted between said plates for rotation with said drum, saidcradle comprising a pair of end discs, and

v means extending between said discs forming a said frame'at each endthereof for latching said frame in selected of said openings in saidplates,

and spring means on `said frame for yieldinglyA support for the articlesto be washed, each of of said discs having a removable pivot bolt with aJournal portion in the bearing portion of said cut-out, and an outer endextending through an opening in one oi said plates, said bolt havinganges on opposite sides of said disc at the bearing portion thereof. l

' Jomr H. HamLToN.

DAVID B. NICHOLSON.

